The doctor insists that it should be prevented ‘Influenza’ before another outbreak in May
The doctor insists that it should be prevented ‘Influenza’ before another outbreak in May Influenza vaccination recommendations And the Covid-19 vaccine is the way to survive in the covid-19 era. Helps reduce severe symptoms from joint infections and reduce the ICU sleep rate by up to 7%
For more than 2 years, the world is facing the epidemic crisis of Covid-19. which is in the midst of massive people’s interest in the COVID-19 vaccine. and drugs to treat COVID-19 including all related matters causing them to forget that there is still Another ‘respiratory virus’ that should be watched and paid attention to. Because this virus has not gone away and is ready to come back to epidemic again. That’s the ‘flu’.
Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education therefore held a seminar “Troubleshooting the flu in the era of COVID-19” with experts and medical professionals from government agencies Let’s exchange accurate knowledge about the flu situation in 2022, including various viruses. that are entering the epidemic period in the rainy season in May The importance of preventing influenza The risk of influenza infection differs from the 3 and 4 strains of influenza vaccine. The severity of influenza in the different risk groups. Especially in young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with underlying diseases. including new research To make people aware and able to prevent potential risks, with Assoc. Prof. Chitsanu Phancharoen, Special Lecturer, Department of Pediatrics Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University Honored to be the moderator
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont President of the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education Revealed the overall global flu situation over the past 2 years has continued to decline. Due to strict measures to prevent Covid-19, while in 2022 this year, there have been reports from many countries. Especially in Europe, there have been reports of higher influenza severity. including in the United States that found the outbreak in an increasing proportion More than 70% of people in the United States no longer need to wear masks in public places. While research from the University of Pittsburgh in the US predicts that the 2021-2022 flu season is likely to be more severe than usual. which may have a number of influenza patients Especially in children, the increase compared with the season of illness in the preceding year of the COVID-19 outbreak. This can reduce the number of patients with severe symptoms requiring hospitalization. If influenza vaccination increases by 20-50% from the previous year due to the period of preventive measures against COVID-19 Plenty of Americans miss out on the opportunity to build up immunity to the flu by infecting them naturally or vaccinating them. And when preventive measures against COVID-19 are lifted, it makes them more likely to be infected than usual because people have been immune for more than 2 years and it also coincides with the flu season in countries in the warm northern hemisphere. This affects children under the age of 2, making them more susceptible to infection and especially severe symptoms. Because children in this group have never been exposed to influenza before.
for the influenza situation in Thailand From the latest report of the Department of Disease Control Between January 1, 2022 – February 23, 2022, 660 influenza cases were found, a disease that can infect all seasons throughout the year. Most are still found among the youngest children aged 0-4 years, although the number of cases is still small. But doctors are concerned that the next few months are entering the rainy season outbreak. in May which will be cool and humid make various viruses including the COVID-19 virus spread more and live longer This may result in an increase in the number of influenza patients who need hospitalization. while the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalizations also tended to be higher. At the same time, it is also the period when more foreign tourists come to Thailand after the opening of the country. Moreover, this coincides with the time when schools across the country start a new semester. This increases the risk of co-infection, both influenza and COVID-19. at the same time (also known as Co-Infection or Flurona), which can result in more severe symptoms in particularly at-risk patients.
From the past statistics, children are 4 times more likely to contract influenza than adults due to low immunity. Including the behavior of children by nature who often lack caution, including saliva, snot, coughing, sneezing and washing hands. Moreover, among children and infants, they are at greater risk of influenza-related complications than contracting COVID-19. Pregnant women with influenza are four times more likely to be hospitalized than uninfected pregnant women with influenza. Can affect pregnancy, such as a miscarriage. It can be severe to the point of losing a pregnancy. or death of both mother and child Therefore, mothers who are pregnant Therefore, it should be prevented by influenza vaccination as soon as possible. To pass on protection for newborns from the first day of birth Babies won’t be vaccinated with the flu vaccine until they’re 6 months old, but they’ll be immune from the mother and pass it on to their child to protect them from severe flu symptoms.
Prof. Dr. Teeraphong Tantawichian, Lecturer of Infectious Diseases Unit Faculty of Medicine Chulalongkorn University and Assistant Director and Acting Head of Clinical Research and Services, Saowapa Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, added that in high-risk groups, especially the elderly 65 years and over and those with congenital diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity, they are more at risk. Severe symptoms from influenza, for example, patients with emphysema or lung disease. will be at risk of developing severe complications It is found that up to 100 times more than normal people, heart disease patients are at risk 50 times more than normal people and people with diabetes. The risk is 5-10 times more than normal people, etc., because people with these congenital diseases may have an unstable immune system. This makes the body’s immune system less able to fight off germs as well as healthy people.
Therefore, it is very important to create a wide and correct knowledge and understanding. For safety and reduce the risk of co-infection in the era of Covid-19 regardless of whether they are in the at-risk group or not in the at-risk group should receive both influenza vaccination services and the COVID-19 vaccine which is a cost-effective solution The influenza vaccine has been recognized worldwide for its efficacy and long-standing standards. There are also research studies indicating the benefit and efficacy of influenza vaccination. found to reduce the number of influenza patients reduce the use of antibiotics Reduce the frequency of visits to the doctor reduce the spread of germs including reducing hospitalization in the emergency room And the overall results also show that the influenza vaccine is very useful for people of all ages. including those who do not have any underlying disease
Assoc. Prof. (Special) Dr. Tawee Chotiphitayasunont He added that the research “Currently, there is research in Brazil looking into the relationship of influenza vaccination. and the severity of COVID-19 by comparing in 2 groups: 1. The covid-19 patient group who have had influenza vaccination in the past 1-3 months and 2. Covid-19 patients not vaccinated against influenza It turns out that influenza vaccination in patients with COVID-19 It reduces the rate of sleep in the intensive care unit by 7%, reducing the rate of ventilator-needed patients by 17%, consistent with several international studies. Both the United States and Brazil indicate that influenza vaccination has a positive effect on COVID-19 morbidity. It can reduce the death rate from contracting COVID-19 by up to 10% as well.”
Currently, there are two types of influenza vaccines, three-strain and four-strain, both of which have been shown to have good results. It is therefore recommended that people be vaccinated against four strains of influenza, which covers a broader range of influenza strains than the three strains. that year Therefore it is necessary to inject annually. To stimulate the immune system in the body to be ready to deal with the infection each year. which can be vaccinated at a private clinic or private hospitals across the country It will start providing 4 strains of influenza vaccine in the 2022 season from late March – December 2022, while the government’s 3-strain influenza vaccine. will start providing free injections at public health services or hospitals in the gold card system Around May 2022 onwards
Interested parties can learn information about influenza. and various infectious diseases More at the Influenza Education Foundation website. http://www.ift2004.org/ or via the Foundation for the Promotion of Influenza Education.
